Stompin’ Tom Connors a true Canadian treasure has left us, and I for one am sad to hear it. Tom’s music resonated with me, even though at times I get sick of hearing “The Hockey Song”, but then again, who can get tired of “A Sudbury Saturday Night”? Hopefully he’s got a maple kicker for his stompin’ wherever he has gone:

Well the girls are out to bingo And the boys are gettin stinko
We think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday Night

They just don’t write them like that any more.

On Wednesday the Bank of Canada announced that it is going to keep their overnight rate the same, and doesn’t foresee any big increases any time soon. To quote the report directly:

Total CPI inflation has been somewhat more subdued than projected in the January MPR as a result of weaker core inflation and lower mortgage interest costs, which were only partially offset by higher gasoline prices. Low core inflation reflects muted price pressures across a wide range of goods and services, consistent with material excess capacity in the economy. Core and total CPI inflation are expected to remain low in the near term before rising gradually to reach 2 per cent over the projection horizon as the economy returns to full capacity and inflation expectations remain well-anchored.

Cry Havoc and let loose the legions of debtors! — (not from the BoC)

It’s tax time again too, are you collecting all of your receipts, or have you already submitted your taxes for 2012? Good for you if you have, I am still in the hunter gatherer phase where I attempt to collect all of the important receipts that I need. It’s good to review your return from last year to remember all of your deductions, and maybe make a check list?

Pope picking time comes to Vatican City again, with lots of Black and White smoke, Cardinals and news services attempting to make this long arduous process seem, hip, exciting and dramatic. While it is intriguing at times to see who is picked, it really is mostly a dull thing (much like watching a Canadian political convention (without the funny hats (well maybe a few funny hats)).

My Weekly Recap

My snow blower is back working, which of course means Ottawa may not get any more snow until next winter:

Top Stories of the Week of March 8th
Where would you find Bud the Spud Now?

Michael James makes a very good point that the A portion of the TFSA FLA is confusing to some folks. Some seem to think because of the “A” you can only have a savings account as a TFSA? NO!!! Is the simple answer.

Boomer points out some of the fallacies that Canadians are living under in terms of their ability to retire. One not mentioned is that Low Ash Cat Food is not a good staple for your retirement year meals (just an FYI from me).

I have not listened to Preet’s Podcast yet, hopefully Larry does talk about having a sense of humour as well (oh and be filthy, stinking rich too). Larry’s book on Buffett is on my “read this dummy” list.

This sure must be a good book given even Sustainable Personal Finance reviewed it and thought it good.

Other Bookkeeping

A Much Younger Stompin’ Tom

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